Existentially Oriented Group Intervention for Patients With Heart Failure: Intervention Development and Preliminary Assessment

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) cope with a chronic, life-threatening, particularly disabling medical condition. Their well-being is considered to be at a greater risk than that of patients with any other cardiovascular disease, and their psychological distress is associated with a worse prognosis. These patients are often preoccupied with existential concerns such as fear of death, loneliness, and a loss of sense of meaning. However, there is a dearth of literature regarding psychological interventions that address these issues among this population. Aims: We, the authors of the current pilot study, present the development and initial implementation of a novel protocol: "existentially oriented group intervention for patients with heart failure." Our aims were to test the intervention's feasibility, as well as to explore patients' subjective experience of it. Methods: The intervention (consisting of seven 1-hour weekly sessions) was applied to 2 consecutive groups. Twelve patients coping with HF levels III and IV - according to the New York Heart Association classification - from a hospital-based HF clinic participated. The Narrative Evaluation of Intervention Interview was applied. Results: Although high dropout levels were detected, the patients who fully participated in the program reported on satisfaction and progress in the following 4 domains: personal growth, social support, self-worth, and mastery. Conclusions: On the basis of our preliminary findings, the "existentially oriented group intervention for patients with heart failure" is recommended to be further tested among patients coping with HF.